Spain Dominates Georgia, Closing In on World Cup Qualification

Spain is on the verge of competing in its 17th World Cup. Despite being without Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Nico Williams, Rodri, and Huijsen, La Roja secured a commanding victory against Georgia at the Boris Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi this Saturday, during the fifth round of European qualifiers. From the outset, Spain controlled the game, leveraging a penalty awarded after Gocholeishvili’s handball. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty in the 11th minute, marking his 50th cap with a goal. A brilliant team effort followed, resulting in Fabian Ruiz assisting Martin Zubimendi to extend the lead in the 22nd minute (0-2). Oyarzabal then set up Ferran Torres for his 23rd international goal in the 35th minute (0-3). By halftime, Spain’s dominance was clear, with Georgia failing to register a shot (0 attempts).

In the second half, Spain maintained its superiority. After a well-placed cross from Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal netted his second goal in the 63rd minute (0-4). Georgia nearly salvaged a goal after a misplay by Llorente, but the shot hit the left post in the 87th minute. Spain comfortably secured the win, continuing their perfect run in the qualifiers with 19 goals scored and none conceded. However, they will need to wait until the final matchday to officially confirm their place in the World Cup across the Atlantic.

Turkey Secures Essential Win; Austria Can Qualify Tonight

In Group E, Turkey claimed a 2-0 victory over Bulgaria at the Timsah Arena in Bursa. The Bulgarian team, currently last with zero points in the qualifiers, posed no threat to Vincenzo Montella’s side, who were bolstered by Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s goal from the penalty spot. This win delayed Spain’s qualification, as they are set to face Turkey on Tuesday in Seville. To overtake Spain for the top spot in the group, Turkey would need to win by a seven-goal margin, a challenging task after Spain’s 6-0 victory over them last September.

In other matches during this round, Austria, led by Marko Arnautovic, defeated Cyprus 2-0 in Kolossi. The former Stoke City and Inter forward scored both goals, helping his team maintain the lead in Group H. Ralf Rangnick’s squad is now focused on the Bosnia-Romania match at 20:15 IST, as a Bosnia win would secure Austria’s World Cup ticket. Meanwhile, Wales kept their World Cup dreams alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz. In Group J, direct qualification will be contested between Belgium (1st, 15 points), North Macedonia (2nd, 13 points), and Wales (3rd, 13 points).

Results from the 18:00 IST Round:

Group E

Georgia 0 – 4 Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal (11′, pen & 63′), Martin Zubimendi (22′), Ferran Torres (35′)

Turkey 2 – 0 Bulgaria: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (18′, pen) and Atanas Chernev (83′, own goal)

Group H

Cyprus 0 – 2 Austria: Marko Arnautovic (18′, pen & 55′)

Group J

Liechtenstein 0 – 1 Wales: Jordan James (63′)